Inday to enhance monsoon rains

Tropical Depression Inday has maintained its strength but accelerated while still over the sea off Cagayan, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Weather forecaster Samuel Duran said as of 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Inday was 720 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center. It is forecast to move northwest and accelerate its speed from 15 kph to 20 kph.

If it maintains its speed and movement, Inday will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday afternoon. Duran said since Inday is still in the sea, it is expected to intensify into a tropical storm within the next 24 hours.

It is not expected to hit land but will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat that will induce occasional rains over Metro Manila, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol Region, Western Visayas and the provinces of Zambales and Bataan.